District council stresses economic importance of visiting coaches, with greater provision as part of city centre redevelopment works
A planning application for a new coach parking facility in Lichfield has been submitted to Lichfield District Council (LDC).
As part of plans approved in May this year for a new shopping, leisure and public area known as ‘the Friarsgate development’ in the city centre, the existing coach parking provision at the bus station, comprising five long stay bays and one drop-off coach bay, will be lost.
Aware of the economic importance of visiting coaches to the Staffordshire cathedral city, the local authority has been adamant that alternative provision must be found. A new site, at the Staffordshire University and South Staffordshire College campus, has been identified as the ideal location. What is officially known as the university’s West car park, is currently used for car parking, by the university and college, under a temporary planning approval that has now expired. Agreement has been reached with the institutions
According to a cabinet report, a contribution of £450,000 from the developer U&I has been set aside exclusively to fund the works to create a minimum eight-space replacement coach parking bay facility. The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership has also offered funding for the provision of off-site coach parking for a budget figure in the sum of £500,000.
The works will comprise re-laying the existing car parking area at the college and construction of the new coach parking bays, together with associated drainage, illumination alterations, security and signage. The land is to be leased for 25 years from completion of the coach park works for £1+VAT per annum. The freehold for the access road is currently with Pegasus Retirement Living. Agreement has been reached for the land to transfer to South Staffordshire College – this is being progressed by Staffordshire County Council.
An LDC cabinet paper on the project stated: “Provision of the improved coach park facilities will build on the value and growth of coach tourism in Lichfield. The off-site coach park stands alone as a project with value to Lichfield.”
A statement supporting the planning application said: “Currently Lichfield has a limited provision for coach parking and this is going to intensify when the new Friarsgate bus station and its new operations are built, which will not accommodate the required coach provision or ability for overnight coach stops.
“Secondly, there is a growth demand for more coach parking facilities to meet LDC’s aspirations for increasing overnight accommodation for longer tourist stay revenue.”
